Tough Ruck and Captain Brown’s Company of Minute Men: 7 a.m., Concord. Step off at The Old Manse field, adjacent to North Bridge in Concord, as Minute Man National Historical Park hosts the "Tough Ruck," military personnel marching in memory of fallen soldiers. Come out and support soldiers and veterans in this 26.2-mile hike along the historic Battle Road Trail. The ruck will kick off with a musket volley from the North Bridge. Call 978-396-6993 or visit nps.gov/MIMA.

Explore Bloody Angle with Edmund Foster: 10:30 a.m., at Hartwell Tavern, 136 North Great Road, Lincoln. Edmund Foster, a volunteer from Reading (portrayed by Park Volunteer Ed Hurley), will lead a tour to this key battle site where he fought in 1775.

Visit Whittemore House: 10 a.m. to noon and 2 to 5 p.m., behind Minute Man Visitor Center, Route 2A Lexington. Visit Whittemore House, staffed by costumed park volunteers, and discover what life was like in 1775. Try on colonial children's clothing, gather ingredients for a meal, and listen to stories of the Whittemore family and their experience of April 19, 1775.

1st Michigan Colonial Fife and Drum Corps 11:30 a.m., at the outdoor amphitheater, Minute Man Visitor Center, Route 2A, Lexington. Listen to military music of the American Revolution and get into the spirit of Patriots’ Day.

Caught in the Storm of War: Civilians of April 19: 9:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. at Captain William Smith House, 136 North Great Road, Lincoln. What would you take with you if you had to leave your home in a hurry, uncertain of your return? Learn about the local civilians on April 19, 1775. Once the refugees leave the Smith house, you may encounter them along the Battle Road Trail heading towards Lexington and the Minute Man Visitor Center just prior the the Parker’s Revenge Battle Demonstration.

Parker’s Revenge Battle Demonstration: 1 p.m. at Battle Road Trail behind Minute Man Visitor Center, Route 2A, Lexington. Hundreds of British and colonial re-enactors will engage in a tactical weapons demonstration with musket firing and fast-paced battle action along a stretch of the actual Battle Road of 1775. Park staff will be on hand to direct you to parking and viewing areas.

Junior Ranger Days: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., at Minute Man National Historical Park Visitor Center, Route 2A, Lexington and 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at North Bridge Visitor Center, 174 Liberty St. in Concord. Earn a Junior Ranger Badge. Pick up a Junior Ranger Booklet. This is a fun way to learn and explore Minute Man National Historical Park while completing the pages in the booklet. When you are finished, show your work to a Ranger to earn your new badge. Receive your badge and take your oath at 11 a.m., noon, 1 p.m., 3 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. Recommended for ages 4 and older.

Patriots’ Ball: 7 p.m. to midnight, Concord. The Concord Museum hosts the Patriots’ Ball at the National Guard Armory, 91 Everett St. in Concord. In keeping with the over 200-year-old Concord celebration, guests will be invited to participate in Patriots’ Ball traditions including the drum-off between the Concord Minutemen and the 1st Michigan Colonial Fife and Drum Corps. A festive Grand March parade from the Armory to First Parish Church will culminate in a midnight re-enactment of Dr. Samuel Prescott’s fateful horse ride into Concord – to warn residents that the British soldiers were coming. Festivities will also included food and beverages, and entertainment by The Hip Replacements. To purchase tickets and for information visit concordmuseum.org or call 978-369-9763 ext. 216.

Battle Green Guided Tours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Lexington. Official Lexington Battle Green Guides in Colonial clothing offer informal tours, history, visitor information and directions throughout the day. View one of the oldest war memorials in the country where the remains of 7 of the 8 Militia who died on the Battle Green on April 19th are buried. tourlexington.us (Free)

Parker’s Revenge: 1 p.m., Lexington. Lexington Minute Men gather on the Lexington Battle Green to re-enact the second call to arms from Captain Parker with additional dialogue from Reverend Jonas Clarke. Following this event, the Minute Men will march to Fiske Hill before continuing on to Parker’s Revenge site in the Minute Man National Park. Free

“A Single Blow” The Battles of Lexington and Concord and the Beginning of the American Revolution: 1:30-3:30 p.m., Lexington. Book Signing Authors Phillip Greenwalt and Rob Orrison will be presenting and signing copies of their book. The first release in the Emerging Revolutionary War series. Cary Memorial Library, 1874 Massachusetts Ave., Lexington, in co-sponsorship with the Lexington Historical Society and Lexington Visitors Center (781-862-1450). Free lecture.

“House of Hancock”: 7 p.m., Lexington Depot, 13 Depot Square. History at Play presents a new revolutionary musical weaving together the life of John Hancock with the thrill of Broadway’s Hamilton. Tickets available online and at Buckman Tavern. www.lexingtonhistory.org

"Fun Run" Patriots' Day Road Race 8:45 a.m., Arlington. The Boys and Girls Club of Arlington is sponsoring the 54th annual "Fun Run." The 2.5-mile event is open to all Arlington residents and members of the Boys and Girls Club. The race will begin at the Arlington/Lexington line on Massachusetts Avenue. Participants will run down Massachusetts Avenue towards the center of town. For information visit abgclub.org/home.

Menotomy Battle Re-enactment: Noon, Arlington. On April 19, 1775, the Jason Russell House was the site of the bloodiest encounter in the Battle of Lexington and Concord. Eleven colonials were killed during the skirmish; bullet holes still show in the cellar, parlor, and guest room. Two Redcoats were also killed. Russell and nine of the colonial dead were buried in the nearby Old Burying Ground, where an obelisk was erected to their memory in 1818. This battle re-enactment will take place at the Jason Russell House, 7 Jason St., Arlington. This event is free to the public.

Patriots' Day Parade: 2 p.m., Arlington. The parade will proceed down Massachusetts Avenue from Brattle Street in Arlington Heights to Adams Street in East Arlington. The main reviewing stand will be located at Town Hall. Use the hashtag #ArlPats to post your photos and follow the parade on social media. Parade is rain or shine and free to the public.

Warlike preparations and the search of the Col. James Barrett House in Concord: 1 to 4 p.m. 455 Barrett's Mill Road, Concord. In 1775, Colonel James Barrett of Concord was responsible for safeguarding all the military supplies in town and his house was searched by British soldiers during their mission to Concord. Visit the Barrett House and experience the intense military preparations that helped launch America into the Revolutionary War. At 3 p.m. British soldiers will arrive to conduct a search of the house for military supplies.

Revolutionary Dogs: "Paws for the Cause!" 2 p.m. at Minute Man Visitor Center, Route 2A, Lexington. Join Park Ranger Roger Fuller for a walk on the Battle Road to explore the lives of dogs in colonial America and in the Revolution. The 45-minute walk starts at Minute Man Visitor Center and is open to all, including well-behaved dogs on a leash.

Monday, April 16

Stow Minuteman re-enact Patriots Day: 4:15 a.m. The Stow Minuteman Company will march along the 9.5 mile route taken by the Stow colonial militia in April 1775 upon hearing the news that the British Regulars were marching on Concord. The pre-dawn Trail March muster starts at 4:15 a.m., at the Stow Lower Village Shopping Center. The music and marching begins at 4:30 a.m. The Company will march in step to its own colonial fife and drum music while the sounds of musket volleys raise the alarm with the townsfolk along the way. At around 9 a.m., the Trail March will end at the Minuteman National Park North Bridge Visitors Center where the Company will participate in Concord’s Battle at Old North Bridge Ceremony and Parade. A breakfast will be held at Rideout Playground in Concord at 7 a.m. Email info@stowminutemen.org; call 978-206-1775; or visit stowminutemen.org.

Commemoration of the North Bridge Fight and Concord Parade: 8:45 a.m. at North Bridge, Concord. British re-enactors will be joined by the local Minutemen companies for a special commemoration of the North Bridge Fight featuring musket volleys. The Concord Parade will arrive at North Bridge around 9:30 a.m. NOTE: All of the roads in the center of Concord are closed to vehicles beginning at 8:30 a.m.

“The Alarm” at the Old Belfry: 5:30 a.m., Belfry Hill, Massachusetts Avenue at Clarke Street across from the Battle Green, Lexington. Come ring the bell that sounded the alarm that the British were coming. Free

Re-enactment of the Battle of Lexington on the Battle Green 5:30 a.m. Massachusetts Avenue at Bedford Street, Lexington. lexingtonminutemen.com

First Shot! Film Screening and Q & A with British and Colonial Re-enactors: Lexington Depot, 13 Depot Square. Tickets available at the door. 8:00 a.m., 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. Adults $3/ Children $1 lexingtonhistory.org

Annual Patriots’ Day Handbell Concert of Patriotic and American Music 11:15 a.m. to noon, Lexington. The concert is family-friendly and includes music played on five octaves of hand bells and six octaves of hand chimes. Broadway hits such as “The Lion Sleeps Tonight,” American ragtime, spirituals, and patriotic songs. Suggested donation of $3 per person to benefit the Russell School in Dorchester. Hancock Church, 1912 Massachusetts Ave. (the stone church across from the Battle Green)

Join the Menotomy Welcoming Committee: Noon, Arlington. Greet Lancers re-enactors Paul Revere and William Dawes at Arlington Town Hall on Monday, April 16, 2018 on their way to warn residents that the Regulars are out! Refreshments and kids’ crafts beginning at 11:00 am. Follow the riders on Twitter: @greetRiders (Menotomy’s Waiting) #patriotsride. This event is sponsored by the Arlington Committee on Tourism and Economic Development (ATED).

Concert on the Green: Noon, Lexington. Special guests Westfield High School Shamrock Pride Marching Band, Westfield, Indiana will perform at the Green. Free.

Float Judging: Noon, Massachusetts Avenue in East Lexington.

Paul Revere Arrives at the Battle Green on Horseback: 1 p.m., Lexington. Greeted by the Board of Selectmen and the Lexington Minute Men.

Patriots’ Day Afternoon Parade: 2 p.m., Lexington. Starting at Massachusetts Avenue and Maple Street in East Lexington, proceeding west along Massachusetts Avenue through Lexington center, left onto Worthen Road ending at the town pool parking lot.

Wednesday, April 18

The Patriot Vigil 7:50 to 8:45 p.m. at North Bridge, Concord. As darkness descends upon the North Bridge battlefield come and reflect on the events of April 19, 1775 and the meaning of liberty. The evening ceremony will feature a lantern-light procession, poetry, music, and a recitation of the names of Patriots who gave their lives on that “ever-memorable” 19th of April. Note: To participate in the procession, bring an enclosed real candle lantern. (No flashlights or LED bulbs in the procession.)

Thursday, April 19

Dawn Salute 6 a.m. at North Bridge, Concord.The Concord Minute Men and the Concord Independent Battery observe the opening battle of the American Revolution with a 21-gun musket and cannon salute.

Remembering the Ladies: 10 a.m. at North Bridge, Concord. In commemoration of the brave Daughters of Liberty, the Molly Cutthroats, a living history group dedicated to the role of women in the Revolution, will fire a ceremonial volley of musketry from North Bridge.

Arrival of the Sudbury Militia 11:30 a.m. at North Bridge, Concord. The Sudbury Companies of Militia and Minutemen will make their annual march to North Bridge from the town of Sudbury, in honor of their fellow townsmen who made a similar march on April 19, 1775. They will fire three musket volleys from North Bridge as a soldierly salute.

Sons of the American Revolution, Henry Knox Color Guard noon at North Bridge, Concord. The Henry Knox Color Guard will fire three volleys from North Bridge in honor of our Revolutionary Forbearers.

Saturday, April 21

Junior Ranger Days 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., at Minute Man National Historical Park Visitor Center, Route 2A, Lexington and 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at North Bridge Visitor Center, 174 Liberty St. in Concord. Earn a Junior Ranger Badge. Pick up a Junior Ranger Booklet. This is a fun way to learn and explore Minute Man National Historical Park while completing the pages in the booklet. When you are finished, show your work to a Ranger to earn your new badge. Receive your badge and take your oath at 11 a.m., noon, 1 p.m., 3 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. Recommended for ages 4 and older.

After the Battle - The War Has Begun 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Hartwell Tavern, 136 North Great Road, Lincoln. War between the people of Massachusetts and Governor Gage and the British regulars has just broken out. Thousands of men are preparing to leave home for the front lines around Boston. Whole communities are faced with numerous challenges demanded by this frightening new reality. Step back into the year of 1775 and get involved. Admission: Recommended donation: $5; $10 per family. Children wearing a Junior Ranger badge will be admitted free. Alarm Letter on View Saturday, March 24 – Saturday, April 21 Scottish Rite Masonic Museum & Library, 33 Marrett Road, Lexington Couriers delivered the news of the conflict at Lexington throughout the colonies soon after the event. One of the letters that helped spread the news will be displayed at the Scottish Rite Masonic Museum & Library in March and April. Joseph Palmer, a member of the Massachusetts Committee of Safety, sent the first urgent missive by messenger Israel or Isaac Bissell in the late morning of April 19, 1775. Bissell rode to Connecticut and perhaps further. Recipients duplicated Palmer’s letter several times to carry the news far and wide. Daniel Tyler of Connecticut penned the Museum’s copy of Palmer’s letter, probably on April 20, 1775. For further information, call 781-861-6559 or visit srmml.org.